Misplaced Pages

Clock Tower (1995 video game): Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 01:09, 6 July 2016 edit99.110.253.66 (talk) →Development and release← Previous edit Revision as of 19:01, 21 August 2016 edit undoTarkusAB (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Page movers24,329 edits rewriteTag: nowiki addedNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
{{About|the 1995 Super Famicom game|for the 1996 PlayStation game|Clock Tower (1996 video game)}} {{About|the 1995 Super Famicom game|for the 1996 PlayStation game|Clock Tower (1996 video game)}}
{{multiple issues|
{{refimprove|date=November 2014}}
{{tone|date=January 2015}}
}}
{{Infobox video game {{Infobox video game
| title = Clock Tower | title = Clock Tower
Line 13: Line 9:
| programmer = Naoki Sonoda <br> Nobuhiro Fujii | programmer = Naoki Sonoda <br> Nobuhiro Fujii
| developer = ] | developer = ]
| publisher = Human Entertainment | publisher = Human Entertainment<br />]
| composer = Kōji Niikura | composer = Kōji Niikura
| series = '']'' | series = '']''
| released ={{collapsible list|titlestyle=font-weight:normal;font-size:inherit;background:transparent;text-align:left
⚫ | released = '''Super Famicom'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=September 14, 1995}}'''Windows'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=March 28, 1997}}'''PlayStation'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=July 17, 1997}}'''WonderSwan'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=December 9, 1999}}<!-- Do not list emulated releases per template: infobox video game -->
|title=September 14, 1995
⚫ |'''Super Famicom'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=September 14, 1995}}'''Windows'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=March 28, 1997}}'''PlayStation'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=July 17, 1997}}'''WonderSwan'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=December 9, 1999}}}}<!-- Do not list emulated releases per template: infobox video game -->
| genre = ], ], ] | genre = ], ], ]
| modes = ] | modes = ]
Line 23: Line 21:
}} }}


{{nihongo|'''''Clock Tower'''''|クロックタワー|Kurokku Tawā}} is a ] ] developed and published by ] for the ] in 1995.<ref>Shane Patterson (2009-02-03), , GamesRadar, Retrieved 2009-06-21</ref> It is the first installment of the long-running ] series. An enhanced port titled '''''Clock Tower: The First Fear''''' was developed and released for ] and ] in 1997, featuring enhanced sounds and visuals. '''''Clock Tower'''''{{efn|{{nihongo|''Clock Tower''|クロックタワー|Kurokku Tawā|lead=yes}}}} is a ] ] developed and published by ] for the ] in 1995. It is the first installment of the ] series. The story follows orphan Jennifer Simpson soon after she is adopted by the Barrows family along with other orphaned girls. The plot quickly takes a dark turn with the introduction of the game's antagonist, ], as he kills one of the other children. Jennifer then must explore the Barrows Mansion to find a way to escape while evading Scissorman, leading to one of the game's multiple endings. The game utlizes a ] interface with the player controlling a cursor to direct Jennifer's actions.


The story follows Jennifer Simpson as she learns the secrets of the Barrows Mansion and attempts to escape the game's antagonist, ]. Much of the plot and many characters are inspired by ]'s film, '']'', and the villain being partially inspired by ]'s film, '']''. The game features multiple endings dependent on choices the player makes throughout the game. ''Clock Tower'' has been re-released on the ], ], ], ], and the ]. It has never officially been released outside Japan, although several fan translations exist. Much of ''Clock Tower''<nowiki/>'s plot and artistic style are inspired by the works of Italian horror film director ], most notably '']''. The game was re-released as ''Clock Tower: The First Fear'' and ported to ], ], and ]. Many years later it was re-released again on the ], as well as ] and ] ]. The game has never been officially released outside Japan, although ] exist. In retrospect, ''Clock Tower'' is considered instrumental in helping establish the survival horror genre.


==Gameplay== ==Gameplay==
''Clock Tower'' is a survival horror point-and-click adventure game with ] graphics. The player controls a cursor to direct the main character, Jennifer Simpson, and give commands such as investigating objects or opening doors.<ref name="des"/> Jennifer can walk and run, although running will reduce her stamina. She can recover her stamina by sitting on the floor. Jennifer's character portrait in the corner of the screen will change depending on her stamina level. Jennifer can also investigate many objects in the game. Some objects can be stored as inventory for later use.<ref name=VC04>{{cite web|title=VC クロックタワー ゲーム |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_ct/vc_ct_04.html|website=www.nintendo.co.jp}}</ref> The layout of items changes with each play-through.<ref name="VC06"/>
⚫ ]


⚫ ]
''Clock Tower'' is a ] ] ] style game, where the player controls a ] to direct the main character, Jennifer Simpson, and give commands such as investigating objects or opening doors. The interface is akin to computer adventure games of the 1990s, but simplified to work better with a ]. Primarily, the player can only move Jennifer left and right through the environment, although there are some rooms in which an action requires Jennifer to step into the background.
Jennifer is under the constant threat of a stalker named ]. When Scissorman is confronted, the game will enter "panic mode." Depending on Jennifer's health status, she may begin to trip and slow down and possibly be killed.<ref name="des"/> Jennifer cannot use weapons against Scissorman. Instead the player must find hiding spots throughout the mansion which are key to Jennifer's survival, or use traps placed in the environment.<ref name="VC01">{{cite web|title=VC クロックタワー とは|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_ct/vc_ct_01.html|website=www.nintendo.co.jp}}</ref><ref name="VC06">{{cite web|title=VC クロックタワー アドバイス|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_ct/vc_ct_06.html|website=www.nintendo.co.jp}}</ref> If caught, the player can rapidly press a button which may allow them to escape.<ref name="des">{{cite web|last1=Pinsof|first1=Allistair|title=It Came from Japan! Clock Tower|url=https://www.destructoid.com/it-came-from-japan-clock-tower-213841.phtml|website=Destructoid|date=October 20, 2011|accessdate=June 11, 2016}}</ref> If Jennifer dies, it is ] and the game returns to the title screen with an option to continue the game.<ref name="VC01"/><ref name="VC03">{{cite web|title=VC クロックタワー　ゲームの始めかた |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_ct/vc_ct_03.html|website=www.nintendo.co.jp}}</ref>

''Clock Tower'' is unique among adventure games of the era in that it features a stalker pursuing the main character{{clarify |date=February 2016 |reason= Monkey Island 2 (1991) had this feature, although only for a short section of the game. So the word "unique" may not be appropriate here.}}; this delays puzzle solving and requires the player to run in order to find objects or hiding places to fend off or avoid the attacker. The stalker is a 9-year-old ] named Bobby Barrows/Scissorman, who wields a large pair of scissors. If directly confronted by Bobby, the player engages in a "panic" phase and must repeatedly pound the "panic button" to attack the enemy. If Jennifer is low on health, or the player does not tap the panic button fast enough, Bobby will attack Jennifer and the player will be presented with a "Dead End" screen.

Although the game refers to it as Jennifer's health, the color of the background where her face is shown changes to represent her current fear level. Blue means she is in a calm state, while yellow means she is startled, orange means she is alarmed, and finally red means she will begin to panic. In the red state, she is more likely to be attacked during a direct confrontation with Bobby. Additionally, while running away from Bobby, there is a chance she might trip over, making her vulnerable if Bobby is close by.

Many of Bobby’s appearances are triggered by the player inspecting certain objects, but there are some cases in which he will come out of a hiding place and chase Jennifer as soon as she enters a room.


==Plot== ==Plot==
Jennifer Simpson is a child from the fictional Granite Orphanage<ref name="granite">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = 1995-09-14|platform = Super Famicom|level = Intro|language = Japanese|quote = Raised in the Granite Orphanage, Jennifer and her friends were wanted as adopted daughters. It happened in September...}}</ref> in ]en, Norway.<ref name="ctstory">{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = ASCII Entertainment| date = 1997-09-30| platform = PlayStation| level = Clock Tower Story| quote = In the mountains of Romsdaaren{{sic}}, Norway, stands the Barrows Mansion. This mansion had a large clock tower, by which the locals tended their flocks in the surrounding fields. The local people called the mansion the Clock Tower...}}</ref> She and her friends, who are also orphans (Laura Harrington, Anne and Lotte) are adopted in September 1995<ref name="granite" /><ref name="bobbystory">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = ASCII Entertainment|date = 1997-09-30|platform = PlayStation|level = Clock Tower Story|quote = In 1995, a young girl from the Granite Orphanage, whose parents died when she was quite small, was lured into the Barrows Mansion where she was attacked by a monster wielding a giant pair of scissors. That monster was the grown-up Bobby. }}</ref> (the same month the game was released) by a wealthy recluse named Simon Barrows, who lives in a mansion known as the "Clock Tower", named after its predominant feature.<ref name="ctstory" /> Jennifer Simpson is a child from the fictional Granite Orphanage<ref name="granite">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = September 14, 1995|platform = Super Famicom|level = Intro|language = Japanese|quote = Raised in the Granite Orphanage, Jennifer and her friends were wanted as adopted daughters. It happened in September...}}</ref> in ]en, Norway.<ref name="ctstory">{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = ASCII Entertainment| date = September 30, 1997| platform = PlayStation| level = Clock Tower Story| quote = In the mountains of Romsdaaren{{sic}}, Norway, stands the Barrows Mansion. This mansion had a large clock tower, by which the locals tended their flocks in the surrounding fields. The local people called the mansion the Clock Tower...}}</ref> She and other orphaned children (Laura, Anne, and Lotte) are adopted in September 1995<ref name="granite" /><ref name="bobbystory">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = ASCII Entertainment|date = September 30, 1997|platform = PlayStation|level = Clock Tower Story|quote = In 1995, a young girl from the Granite Orphanage, whose parents died when she was quite small, was lured into the Barrows Mansion where she was attacked by a monster wielding a giant pair of scissors. That monster was the grown-up Bobby. }}</ref> by a wealthy recluse named Simon Barrows, who lives in a mansion known as the "Clock Tower", named after its predominant feature.<ref name="ctstory" />


The game immediately begins with these characters walking towards the Barrows mansion and settling in the main ].<ref name="foyer">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = 1995-09-14|platform = Super Famicom|level = Main Foyer|language = Japanese|quote = '''Laura:''' "What a huge place..." / '''Ann:''' "Yeah! The main hall's gigantic!" / '''Mary:''' "I gotta go get Mr. Barrows. Everyone wait here.}}</ref> Mary, the woman who brought the children to the mansion, leaves to find Mr. Barrows,<ref name="foyer" /> but she takes an unusually long time.<ref name="investigate">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = 1995-09-14|platform = Super Famicom|level = Main Foyer|language = Japanese|quote = '''Lotte:''' "Mary...she's taking a long time. Should I go find Ms. Mary?" / '''Jennifer:''' "No, I'll go look for her.}}</ref> Jennifer offers to investigate,<ref name="investigate" /> but upon leaving the room, a scream is heard from the main foyer. Jennifer returns to find the lights are off and the girls are missing. After finding either Laura or Ann killed (Laura can be found hanging inside the bathtub where Scissorman rises from the bathtub water, and Anne can be found dropping from the stained glass ceiling while being impaled by Scissorman) , she finds herself being stalked by a murderous little boy with deformed features, wielding a huge pair of scissors.<ref name="bobbystory" /> The boy is Bobby Barrows, also known as the ], who will be Jennifer's main stalker and tormentor for the rest of the game.<ref name="bobbystory"/> The game immediately begins with these characters walking towards the Barrows mansion and settling in the main ].<ref name="foyer">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = September 14, 1995|platform = Super Famicom|level = Main Foyer|language = Japanese|quote = '''Laura:''' "What a huge place..." / '''Ann:''' "Yeah! The main hall's gigantic!" / '''Mary:''' "I gotta go get Mr. Barrows. Everyone wait here.}}</ref> Mary, the woman who brought the children to the mansion, leaves to find Mr. Barrows,<ref name="foyer" /> but she takes an unusually long time.<ref name="investigate">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = September 14, 1995|platform = Super Famicom|level = Main Foyer|language = Japanese|quote = '''Lotte:''' "Mary...she's taking a long time. Should I go find Ms. Mary?" / '''Jennifer:''' "No, I'll go look for her.}}</ref> Jennifer offers to investigate,<ref name="investigate" /> but upon leaving the room, a scream is heard from the main foyer. Jennifer returns to find the lights are off and the girls are missing. After finding either Laura or Ann killed, she finds herself being stalked by a murderous little boy with deformed features, wielding a huge pair of scissors.<ref name="bobbystory" /> The boy is Bobby Barrows, also known as the ], and will stalk and torment Jennifer for the rest of the game.<ref name="bobbystory"/>


While exploring the mansion, Jennifer will need to find out Mary's true intentions - either by discovering Simon Barrows trapped in a jail cell inside the courtyard, or by discovering her father's corpse in a hidden room. If the former happens, Jennifer will need to give him a piece of ham as food.<ref name="food">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = 1995-09-14|platform = Super Famicom|level = Courtyard Shed|language = Japanese|quote = '''Jennifer:''' "W...who are you!?" / '''Simon:''' "Uhn...huh...F...food...}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = 1995-09-14|platform = Super Famicom|level = Courtyard Shed|language = Japanese|quote = '''Jennifer:''' "Um...Who are you?" / '''Simon:''' "Simon...B......Barrows..." / '''Jennifer's thoughts:''' "This man...is Barrows....?}}</ref> If the latter happens, Jennifer will find his death letter that tells of his account about Mary Barrows and her twins, Bobby and Dan.<ref name="walter">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = 1995-09-14|platform = Super Famicom|level = Secret Room|language = Japanese|quote = 11.10.1986 - This is the third day I, Dr. Walter Simpson, have been in here. I'll not last long. Before I die, I will record this...There are twin children who are a blemish on this world. When the lady was to give birth, I was called to this house. She gave birth to two chil...no, demons. When they were born, they ate my right hand. They were ill, their bodies deformed...they should have died. But they lived...I should have tried to...Breathing is painful. The air in this room is already gone...They are in a cradle under the star...}}</ref> It says that he was trapped there for three days, until his death on November 10, 1986.<ref name="walter" /> While exploring the mansion, Jennifer searched for Mary's true intentions - either by discovering Simon Barrows trapped in a jail cell, or by discovering her father's corpse. If the former happens, Jennifer will need to give him food.<ref name="food">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = September 14, 1995|platform = Super Famicom|level = Courtyard Shed|language = Japanese|quote = '''Jennifer:''' "W...who are you!?" / '''Simon:''' "Uhn...huh...F...food...}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = September 14, 1995|platform = Super Famicom|level = Courtyard Shed|language = Japanese|quote = '''Jennifer:''' "Um...Who are you?" / '''Simon:''' "Simon...B......Barrows..." / '''Jennifer's thoughts:''' "This man...is Barrows....?}}</ref> If the latter happens, Jennifer will find his death letter that tells of his account about Mary Barrows and her twins, Bobby and Dan.<ref name="walter">{{cite video game|title = Clock Tower|developer = Human Entertainment|publisher = Human Entertainment|date = September 14, 1995|platform = Super Famicom|level = Secret Room|language = Japanese|quote = 11.10.1986 - This is the third day I, Dr. Walter Simpson, have been in here. I'll not last long. Before I die, I will record this...There are twin children who are a blemish on this world. When the lady was to give birth, I was called to this house. She gave birth to two chil...no, demons. When they were born, they ate my right hand. They were ill, their bodies deformed...they should have died. But they lived...I should have tried to...Breathing is painful. The air in this room is already gone...They are in a cradle under the star...}}</ref> It says that he was trapped there for three days, until his death on November 10, 1986.<ref name="walter" />


Jennifer visits a small, occult-looking church. If the player has collected all the necessary items and clues, then Jennifer is able to gain access to the underground catacombs of the mansion - using either the Devil Idol or the Scepter, but the former is canonical as it appears in the sequel.<ref>{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = ASCII Entertainment| date = 1997-09-30| platform = PlayStation| level = Prologue - University| quote = '''Narration:''' "A statue, it is cold...one of the items found at the scene of the Clock Tower murders. It seems to be hiding some sort of secret." / '''Barton:''' "It would be a good idea to get an expert opinion on this...}}</ref> Jennifer sees a cloaked figure walking ahead of her; this is Mary. She follows it, wearing a disguise to fool the guard dog using Mary's perfume, and a black cloak found in the mansion.<ref>{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = Human Entertainment| date = 1995-09-14| platform = Super Famicom| level = Underground Catacombs| language = Japanese| quote = '''Narration:''' "You can no longer smell the perfume." '''Jennifer's thoughts:''' "The dog won't be tricked again...}}</ref> If she did not need to rescue Jennifer from the jail cell, Lotte can be found dying at an altar, and tells Jennifer about the switches in the clock tower.<ref name="switches">{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = Human Entertainment| date = 1995-09-14| platform = Super Famicom| level = Underground Catacombs| language = Japanese| quote = '''Jennifer:''' "Lotte. Lotte!" / '''Lotte:''' "Uhh..." / '''Jennifer:''' "Lotte, you're still alive!? / '''Lotte:''' "Mmm...Jennifer...The switches in...the clock tower........" / '''Jennifer:''' "Lotte? Don't...leave me alone...}}</ref> Otherwise, she rescues Jennifer from the jail cell, but is shot by a threatening Mary.<ref name="punish">{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = Human Entertainment| date = 1995-09-14| platform = Super Famicom| level = Courtyard Shed| language = Japanese| quote = '''Lotte:''' "Jennifer, you're okay!" / '''Jennifer:''' "Lotte!!" / '''Lotte:''' "Half a sec, I'll get you out. There we go! Now, get out of here before Mary comes!" / '''Jennifer:''' "Huh...?" / '''Lotte:''' "Quickly, Jennifer!" / '''Narration:''' "A voice is heard outside the shed..." / '''Mary:''' "Now isn't that a pity...Jennifer, don't move a muscle. I will punish you.}}</ref> Jennifer visits a small, occult-looking church. If the player has collected all the necessary items and clues, then Jennifer is able to gain access to the underground catacombs of the mansion - using either the Devil Idol or the Scepter, but the former is canonical as it appears in the sequel.<ref>{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = ASCII Entertainment| date = September 30, 1997| platform = PlayStation| level = Prologue - University| quote = '''Narration:''' "A statue, it is cold...one of the items found at the scene of the Clock Tower murders. It seems to be hiding some sort of secret." / '''Barton:''' "It would be a good idea to get an expert opinion on this...}}</ref> Jennifer sees a cloaked figure walking ahead of her; this is Mary. She follows it, wearing a disguise to fool the guard dog using Mary's perfume, and a black cloak found in the mansion.<ref>{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = Human Entertainment| date = September 14, 1995| platform = Super Famicom| level = Underground Catacombs| language = Japanese| quote = '''Narration:''' "You can no longer smell the perfume." '''Jennifer's thoughts:''' "The dog won't be tricked again...}}</ref> If Lotte did not need to rescue Jennifer from the jail cell, she can be found dying at an altar, and tells Jennifer about the switches in the clock tower.<ref name="switches">{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = Human Entertainment| date = September 14, 1995| platform = Super Famicom| level = Underground Catacombs| language = Japanese| quote = '''Jennifer:''' "Lotte. Lotte!" / '''Lotte:''' "Uhh..." / '''Jennifer:''' "Lotte, you're still alive!? / '''Lotte:''' "Mmm...Jennifer...The switches in...the clock tower........" / '''Jennifer:''' "Lotte? Don't...leave me alone...}}</ref> Otherwise, she rescues Jennifer from the jail cell, but is shot by a threatening Mary.<ref name="punish">{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = Human Entertainment| date = September 14, 1995| platform = Super Famicom| level = Courtyard Shed| language = Japanese| quote = '''Lotte:''' "Jennifer, you're okay!" / '''Jennifer:''' "Lotte!!" / '''Lotte:''' "Half a sec, I'll get you out. There we go! Now, get out of here before Mary comes!" / '''Jennifer:''' "Huh...?" / '''Lotte:''' "Quickly, Jennifer!" / '''Narration:''' "A voice is heard outside the shed..." / '''Mary:''' "Now isn't that a pity...Jennifer, don't move a muscle. I will punish you.}}</ref>


Jennifer enters a room, where she discovers the humongous Dan Barrows, hidden within curtains. At that point, the awakened Dan chases down Jennifer to a steep cliff. She successfully climbs over, knocking down a can of kerosene which splashes onto a nearby candle. This triggers an explosion that immolates Dan,<ref name="gether">{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = Human Entertainment| date = 1995-09-14| platform = Super Famicom| level = Ending C - Clock Tower| language = Japanese| quote = '''Mary:''' "Bobby! Bobby! Get this girl ! She's the one who killed Dan! }}</ref> and Jennifer rides an elevator in the catacombs. She ends up defeating Bobby in the clock tower,<ref>{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = Human Entertainment| date = 1995-09-14| platform = Super Famicom| level = Ending S - Clock Tower| language = Japanese| quote = '''Mary:''' "You ...you...killed my sons!}}</ref> and Mary as well in by getting pecked by crows that Jennifer has helped escape from (or around, depending on prior actions) the clock tower, earlier. If Ann (or Laura) has not died yet, then this survivor reunites with Jennifer at the clock tower in the case of Ending "S". Alternative Ending A has that survivor being thrown down the tower by Mary; other actions lead to one of Endings B and C - any of which could be canonical according to the events of the ]). Because of the game's open-ended nature, the player can also discover a number of other endings. Jennifer enters a room, where she discovers the humongous Dan Barrows, hidden behind curtains. At that point, the awakened Dan chases down Jennifer to a steep cliff. She successfully climbs over, knocking down a can of kerosene which splashes onto a nearby candle. This triggers an explosion that immolates Dan,<ref name="gether">{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = Human Entertainment| date = September 14, 1995| platform = Super Famicom| level = Ending C - Clock Tower| language = Japanese| quote = '''Mary:''' "Bobby! Bobby! Get this girl ! She's the one who killed Dan! }}</ref> and Jennifer rides an elevator in the catacombs. She ends up defeating Bobby in the clock tower,<ref>{{cite video game| title = Clock Tower| developer = Human Entertainment| publisher = Human Entertainment| date = September 14, 1995| platform = Super Famicom| level = Ending S - Clock Tower| language = Japanese| quote = '''Mary:''' "You ...you...killed my sons!}}</ref> and Mary as well in by getting pecked by crows that Jennifer has helped escape from (or around, depending on prior actions) the clock tower, earlier. If Ann (or Laura) has not died yet, then this survivor reunites with Jennifer at the clock tower in the case of Ending "S". Alternative Ending A has that survivor being thrown down the tower by Mary; other actions lead to one of Endings B and C - any of which could be canonical according to the events of the next game). Because of the game's open-ended nature, the player can also discover a number of other endings.


==Development and release== ==Development and release==
''Clock Tower''' was inspired by the films of ], most notably '']''. The game has strong relations to the plot of ''Phenomena'' and shares other similarities with Argento's other 1980s films, such as occult themes, distressed young women, and bright colors atop a foggy setting.<ref name="des"/>
{{expand section|date=February 2016}}


The game was first released as ''Clock Tower'' on the Super Famicom on September 14, 1995. It was later re-released under the title ''Clock Tower: The First Fear'' on ], ], and ].<ref name="des"/> The game has been digitally re-released for the ] and ] ] in Japan in 2010 and 2013 respecitvely.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_ct/index.html|title=VC クロックタワー|website=www.nintendo.co.jp|access-date=2016-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000002905|title=クロックタワー Wii U 任天堂|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|language=ja-JP|access-date=2016-08-21}}</ref> It has also reached multiple ] devices via a release on the ] in 2011, also exclusively in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0202npjj00613_000000000000000001.html|title=CLOCK TOWER ～The First Fear～ {{!}} ソフトウェアカタログ {{!}} プレイステーション® オフィシャルサイト|website=www.jp.playstation.com|access-date=2016-08-21}}</ref> ''Clock Tower'' has not been officially released outside Japan; however, ] exist.<ref name="des"/>
The game was inspired by the films of ], most notably '']'' and '']''.<ref>Vallejo, Hernando. "". ''Hardcore Gaming 101''. September 4, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2015.</ref> The films (mostly ''Phenomena'') and the game share several similarities: the name and basic appearance of the leading character resemble ], and the major antagonists are a deformed killer child and a deranged mother. Scissorman also takes some inspiration from the 1981 movie '']''. It was developed and released by ], originally for the ] September 14, 1995 only in Japan.
In 1997, Human Entertainment released an enhanced port of the original ''Clock Tower'' for ] and the ]. Titled ''Clock Tower: The First Fear'', this version took the advantage of more powerful hardware, adding new sounds, scenes, and ]s to enhance the experience. In 1999, the PlayStation version of ''The First Fear'' was ported to the WonderSwan. Due to the system's small black-and-white screen, the games graphics were less detailed. Other aesthetic changes were also made to the game.

The game has not been officially released outside Japan; however, multiple ] exist. The Super Famicom version has been translated into English, Turkish, Russian, Portuguese, French, and Korean.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romhacking.net/translations/302/ |title=Translations - Clock Tower |website=Romhacking.net |date= |accessdate=2016-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romhacking.net/translations/2059/ |title=Translations - Clock Tower |website=Romhacking.net |date= |accessdate=2016-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifritz.narod.ru/ctw.htm |title=Clock Tower (SNES) п╫п╟ я─я┐я│я│п╨п╬п╪ я▐п╥я▀п╨п╣ |website=Ifritz.narod.ru |date= |accessdate=2016-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romhacking.net/translations/2142/ |title=Translations - Clock Tower |website=Romhacking.net |date= |accessdate=2016-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romhackers.org/modules/PDdownloads/singlefile.php?cid=28&lid=721 |title=PO.B.R.E. - Traduções |website=Romhackers.org |date= |accessdate=2016-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://traf.romhack.org/?p=patchs&pid=1017 |title=Clock Tower (SNES) - Patchs - TRAF v8 |website=traf.romhack.org |date= |accessdate=2016-03-14}}</ref> The PlayStation version also has an English fan translation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romhacking.net/translations/2337/ |title=Translations - Clock Tower: The First Fear |website=Romhacking.net |date= |accessdate=2016-02-06}}</ref> as does the Windows 95 version.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://w11.zetaboards.com/dontcryjennifer/topic/10670699/1/ |title=Silanda's improved translation patch for Clock Tower for Windows |website=W11.zetaboards.com |date= |accessdate=2016-02-06}}</ref>


==Reception== ==Reception==
In a retrospective review, Allistair Pinsof of ] noted that although ''Clock Tower'' aged poorly, it was still worth experiencing. He praised the graphics, story, and the Dario Argento-inspired style for creating a haunting mood and atmosphere. He also praised the multiple endings and unique gameplay design. However, he found ''Clock Tower'' failed to create an interesting adventure experience due to difficulty navigation the mansion layout, excessive item hunting, and simple puzzles. He criticized the game's attempt to place a 3D space within a 2D game, which created confusion when navigating. Despite these flaws, he still found ''Clock Tower'' worth playing, calling it "atmospheric horror at its most raw, for better or worse."<ref name="des"/>
{{expand section|date=February 2016}}

===Legacy===
''Clock Tower'' helped establish the survival horror genre. It also solidified Human Entertainment as a developer along with '']'' and '']''.<ref name="des"/>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References== ==References==
Line 66: Line 61:
==External links== ==External links==
* at ] * at ]
* at ]
* and at ]


{{Clock Tower series}} {{Clock Tower series}}

Revision as of 19:01, 21 August 2016

This article is about the 1995 Super Famicom game. For for the 1996 PlayStation game, see Clock Tower (1996 video game). 1995 video game
Clock Tower
Super Famicom cover art
Developer(s)Human Entertainment
Publisher(s)Human Entertainment
Sunsoft
Director(s)Hifumi Kono
Producer(s)Hiroyasu Ichizaki
Programmer(s)Naoki Sonoda
Nobuhiro Fujii
Artist(s)Akiyoshi Iijima
Composer(s)Kōji Niikura
SeriesClock Tower
Platform(s)Super Famicom, PlayStation, Windows, WonderSwan
Release September 14, 1995
  • Super Famicom
    Windows
    PlayStation
    WonderSwan
Genre(s)Survival horror, point-and-click adventure, stealth
Mode(s)Single-player

Clock Tower is a survival horror point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Human Entertainment for the Super Famicom in 1995. It is the first installment of the Clock Tower series. The story follows orphan Jennifer Simpson soon after she is adopted by the Barrows family along with other orphaned girls. The plot quickly takes a dark turn with the introduction of the game's antagonist, Scissorman, as he kills one of the other children. Jennifer then must explore the Barrows Mansion to find a way to escape while evading Scissorman, leading to one of the game's multiple endings. The game utlizes a point and click interface with the player controlling a cursor to direct Jennifer's actions.

Much of Clock Tower's plot and artistic style are inspired by the works of Italian horror film director Dario Argento, most notably Phenomena. The game was re-released as Clock Tower: The First Fear and ported to PlayStation, WonderSwan, and Windows. Many years later it was re-released again on the PlayStation Network, as well as Wii and Wii U Virtual Console. The game has never been officially released outside Japan, although fan translations exist. In retrospect, Clock Tower is considered instrumental in helping establish the survival horror genre.

Gameplay

Clock Tower is a survival horror point-and-click adventure game with 2D graphics. The player controls a cursor to direct the main character, Jennifer Simpson, and give commands such as investigating objects or opening doors. Jennifer can walk and run, although running will reduce her stamina. She can recover her stamina by sitting on the floor. Jennifer's character portrait in the corner of the screen will change depending on her stamina level. Jennifer can also investigate many objects in the game. Some objects can be stored as inventory for later use. The layout of items changes with each play-through.

Jennifer struggling with Bobby while in 'panic mode'

Jennifer is under the constant threat of a stalker named Scissorman. When Scissorman is confronted, the game will enter "panic mode." Depending on Jennifer's health status, she may begin to trip and slow down and possibly be killed. Jennifer cannot use weapons against Scissorman. Instead the player must find hiding spots throughout the mansion which are key to Jennifer's survival, or use traps placed in the environment. If caught, the player can rapidly press a button which may allow them to escape. If Jennifer dies, it is game over and the game returns to the title screen with an option to continue the game.

Plot

Jennifer Simpson is a child from the fictional Granite Orphanage in Romsdalen, Norway. She and other orphaned children (Laura, Anne, and Lotte) are adopted in September 1995 by a wealthy recluse named Simon Barrows, who lives in a mansion known as the "Clock Tower", named after its predominant feature.

The game immediately begins with these characters walking towards the Barrows mansion and settling in the main foyer. Mary, the woman who brought the children to the mansion, leaves to find Mr. Barrows, but she takes an unusually long time. Jennifer offers to investigate, but upon leaving the room, a scream is heard from the main foyer. Jennifer returns to find the lights are off and the girls are missing. After finding either Laura or Ann killed, she finds herself being stalked by a murderous little boy with deformed features, wielding a huge pair of scissors. The boy is Bobby Barrows, also known as the Scissorman, and will stalk and torment Jennifer for the rest of the game.

While exploring the mansion, Jennifer searched for Mary's true intentions - either by discovering Simon Barrows trapped in a jail cell, or by discovering her father's corpse. If the former happens, Jennifer will need to give him food. If the latter happens, Jennifer will find his death letter that tells of his account about Mary Barrows and her twins, Bobby and Dan. It says that he was trapped there for three days, until his death on November 10, 1986.

Jennifer visits a small, occult-looking church. If the player has collected all the necessary items and clues, then Jennifer is able to gain access to the underground catacombs of the mansion - using either the Devil Idol or the Scepter, but the former is canonical as it appears in the sequel. Jennifer sees a cloaked figure walking ahead of her; this is Mary. She follows it, wearing a disguise to fool the guard dog using Mary's perfume, and a black cloak found in the mansion. If Lotte did not need to rescue Jennifer from the jail cell, she can be found dying at an altar, and tells Jennifer about the switches in the clock tower. Otherwise, she rescues Jennifer from the jail cell, but is shot by a threatening Mary.

Jennifer enters a room, where she discovers the humongous Dan Barrows, hidden behind curtains. At that point, the awakened Dan chases down Jennifer to a steep cliff. She successfully climbs over, knocking down a can of kerosene which splashes onto a nearby candle. This triggers an explosion that immolates Dan, and Jennifer rides an elevator in the catacombs. She ends up defeating Bobby in the clock tower, and Mary as well in by getting pecked by crows that Jennifer has helped escape from (or around, depending on prior actions) the clock tower, earlier. If Ann (or Laura) has not died yet, then this survivor reunites with Jennifer at the clock tower in the case of Ending "S". Alternative Ending A has that survivor being thrown down the tower by Mary; other actions lead to one of Endings B and C - any of which could be canonical according to the events of the next game). Because of the game's open-ended nature, the player can also discover a number of other endings.

Development and release

Clock Tower' was inspired by the films of Dario Argento, most notably Phenomena. The game has strong relations to the plot of Phenomena and shares other similarities with Argento's other 1980s films, such as occult themes, distressed young women, and bright colors atop a foggy setting.

The game was first released as Clock Tower on the Super Famicom on September 14, 1995. It was later re-released under the title Clock Tower: The First Fear on PlayStation, Windows, and WonderSwan. The game has been digitally re-released for the Wii and Wii U Virtual Console in Japan in 2010 and 2013 respecitvely. It has also reached multiple PlayStation devices via a release on the PlayStation Network in 2011, also exclusively in Japan. Clock Tower has not been officially released outside Japan; however, fan translations exist.

Reception

In a retrospective review, Allistair Pinsof of Destructoid noted that although Clock Tower aged poorly, it was still worth experiencing. He praised the graphics, story, and the Dario Argento-inspired style for creating a haunting mood and atmosphere. He also praised the multiple endings and unique gameplay design. However, he found Clock Tower failed to create an interesting adventure experience due to difficulty navigation the mansion layout, excessive item hunting, and simple puzzles. He criticized the game's attempt to place a 3D space within a 2D game, which created confusion when navigating. Despite these flaws, he still found Clock Tower worth playing, calling it "atmospheric horror at its most raw, for better or worse."

Legacy

Clock Tower helped establish the survival horror genre. It also solidified Human Entertainment as a developer along with Twilight Syndrome and Laplace no Ma.

Notes

  1. Clock Tower (Japanese: クロックタワー, Hepburn: Kurokku Tawā)

References

  1. ^ Pinsof, Allistair (October 20, 2011). "It Came from Japan! Clock Tower". Destructoid. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  2. "VC クロックタワー ゲーム". www.nintendo.co.jp.
  3. ^ "VC クロックタワー アドバイス". www.nintendo.co.jp.
  4. ^ "VC クロックタワー [クロックタワー]とは". www.nintendo.co.jp.
  5. "VC クロックタワー　ゲームの始めかた". www.nintendo.co.jp.
  6. ^ Human Entertainment (September 14, 1995). Clock Tower (Super Famicom) (in Japanese). Human Entertainment. Level/area: Intro. Raised in the Granite Orphanage, Jennifer and her friends were wanted as adopted daughters. It happened in September...
  7. ^ Human Entertainment (September 30, 1997). Clock Tower (PlayStation). ASCII Entertainment. Level/area: Clock Tower Story. In the mountains of Romsdaaren [sic], Norway, stands the Barrows Mansion. This mansion had a large clock tower, by which the locals tended their flocks in the surrounding fields. The local people called the mansion the Clock Tower...
  8. ^ Human Entertainment (September 30, 1997). Clock Tower (PlayStation). ASCII Entertainment. Level/area: Clock Tower Story. In 1995, a young girl from the Granite Orphanage, whose parents died when she was quite small, was lured into the Barrows Mansion where she was attacked by a monster wielding a giant pair of scissors. That monster was the grown-up Bobby.
  9. ^ Human Entertainment (September 14, 1995). Clock Tower (Super Famicom) (in Japanese). Human Entertainment. Level/area: Main Foyer. Laura: "What a huge place..." / Ann: "Yeah! The main hall's gigantic!" / Mary: "I gotta go get Mr. Barrows. Everyone wait here.
  10. ^ Human Entertainment (September 14, 1995). Clock Tower (Super Famicom) (in Japanese). Human Entertainment. Level/area: Main Foyer. Lotte: "Mary...she's taking a long time. Should I go find Ms. Mary?" / Jennifer: "No, I'll go look for her.
  11. Human Entertainment (September 14, 1995). Clock Tower (Super Famicom) (in Japanese). Human Entertainment. Level/area: Courtyard Shed. Jennifer: "W...who are you!?" / Simon: "Uhn...huh...F...food...
  12. Human Entertainment (September 14, 1995). Clock Tower (Super Famicom) (in Japanese). Human Entertainment. Level/area: Courtyard Shed. Jennifer: "Um...Who are you?" / Simon: "Simon...B......Barrows..." / Jennifer's thoughts: "This man...is Barrows....?
  13. ^ Human Entertainment (September 14, 1995). Clock Tower (Super Famicom) (in Japanese). Human Entertainment. Level/area: Secret Room. 11.10.1986 - This is the third day I, Dr. Walter Simpson, have been in here. I'll not last long. Before I die, I will record this...There are twin children who are a blemish on this world. When the lady was to give birth, I was called to this house. She gave birth to two chil...no, demons. When they were born, they ate my right hand. They were ill, their bodies deformed...they should have died. But they lived...I should have tried to...Breathing is painful. The air in this room is already gone...They are in a cradle under the star...
  14. Human Entertainment (September 30, 1997). Clock Tower (PlayStation). ASCII Entertainment. Level/area: Prologue - University. Narration: "A statue, it is cold...one of the items found at the scene of the Clock Tower murders. It seems to be hiding some sort of secret." / Barton: "It would be a good idea to get an expert opinion on this...
  15. Human Entertainment (September 14, 1995). Clock Tower (Super Famicom) (in Japanese). Human Entertainment. Level/area: Underground Catacombs. Narration: "You can no longer smell the perfume." Jennifer's thoughts: "The dog won't be tricked again...
  16. Human Entertainment (September 14, 1995). Clock Tower (Super Famicom) (in Japanese). Human Entertainment. Level/area: Underground Catacombs. Jennifer: "Lotte. Lotte!" / Lotte: "Uhh..." / Jennifer: "Lotte, you're still alive!? / Lotte: "Mmm...Jennifer...The switches in...the clock tower........" / Jennifer: "Lotte? Don't...leave me alone...
  17. Human Entertainment (September 14, 1995). Clock Tower (Super Famicom) (in Japanese). Human Entertainment. Level/area: Courtyard Shed. Lotte: "Jennifer, you're okay!" / Jennifer: "Lotte!!" / Lotte: "Half a sec, I'll get you out. There we go! Now, get out of here before Mary comes!" / Jennifer: "Huh...?" / Lotte: "Quickly, Jennifer!" / Narration: "A voice is heard outside the shed..." / Mary: "Now isn't that a pity...Jennifer, don't move a muscle. I will punish you.
  18. Human Entertainment (September 14, 1995). Clock Tower (Super Famicom) (in Japanese). Human Entertainment. Level/area: Ending C - Clock Tower. Mary: "Bobby! Bobby! Get this girl ! She's the one who killed Dan!
  19. Human Entertainment (September 14, 1995). Clock Tower (Super Famicom) (in Japanese). Human Entertainment. Level/area: Ending S - Clock Tower. Mary: "You ...you...killed my sons!
  20. "VC クロックタワー". www.nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  21. "クロックタワー Wii U 任天堂" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  22. "CLOCK TOWER ～The First Fear～ | ソフトウェアカタログ | プレイステーション® オフィシャルサイト". www.jp.playstation.com. Retrieved 2016-08-21.

External links

Clock Tower
Games
Related
Categories: